I have been writing since I was in first or second grade. I remember the first short story I ever wrote. It was summer and, having read every book in the house a few times at this point, I complained to my mother that I was bored. She handed me a spiral notebook and a pencil and said that maybe since I had read all the books, I could try writing one of my own. I laid down in the living room floor and wrote my first masterpiece; a story of a little girl who finds an abandoned baby deer in the woods and raises it, based loosely on an almost true story.
My mother had unknowingly unlocked a secret window to my soul that would never be closed. I kept writing for fun, challenging myself with chapter books and poetry. As I grew older and my walk with Christ deepened, my writing took on a more inspirational tone. Even in times when I was an angry teenager, just trying to vent to some pages in private, God would creep into my work and what I meant to write as an expression of sadness or rage would morph into a story of God’s grace.
When I began to understand spiritual gifts, there was never any question for me what mine was. I have always been a writer. It is as much a part of me as my name or my brown eyes and the freckles on my cheeks. Sometimes I write so fast that the pen can’t keep up and even I can barely read it when it’s done. When people ask me how I do it, the answer is simple. “I don’t. The Holy Spirit does the real work, I am just the one lucky enough to be holding the pen.”
Much like I have often wished for blue eyes like my brothers, I have sometimes wished for additional talents. Truth be told, I wanted to be a singer. I have always always wished I could sing. But that is not the gift He gave me. I got one, and singing is not it.
I’ve thought a lot about that. If He had given me an incredible voice, I would definitely have been on stage by 15 chasing the devotion of fans all over the world. Instead, I got a quiet gift that God seems to control for His glory, not mine.
If I was given a choice and I had to choose between having Whitney Houston’s voice or being a writer, I would choose to write. My identity is tied to my gift. It is a part of my soul. I cherish it and I am grateful for it. Grateful to know what it is and that my mother helped me discover my passion for it at such a young age.
All of that, and I still doubt it. I have days where I think that it isn’t worth the time to write. No one will read it. I’m not getting paid for it. It’s not my profession. What difference does it make? There are so many incredible authors who write way more intriguing and inspirational things than I do. ChatGPT makes everyone a writer! Maybe I should just give up.
As I think those words, I feel the Holy Spirit convict me and, in my heart, I hear Him whisper, “This is what I made you for. If the only one who ever reads it is Me, I AM enough. It was my gift to bestow, and I chose you. It matters to me.”
And I know it must be true, because the closer I walk with God, the harder it is for me to leave Him out of the work. He turns everything to His glory. He gave me a gift that would honor him. And you know what? He gave you one too!
Whatever your gift is, I hope you use it because it matters. I hope you know that it honors God when you use the skills He gave you, because they are an expression of His character and creativity. He is a poet. He’s an artist. He is a builder. He is a comedian and an inspirational speaker. He is a caregiver. He’s a parent and a teacher, and a miracle worker, and a friend. There is no creative, wise, or generous gift that does not come from your Maker. And just as you delight in your 5-year old’s finger painting, so He treasures your works!
James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect thing is a gift, coming down to us from God our Father who created all the lights in the heavens.” He is reflected in the best of your soul and when He sees you, He sees all that talent and creativity and propensity for kindness and generosity, shining like stars in the Arizona sky! There are things that only you can do. Lives that you are meant to touch. Scars that you can help heal. And a Father who made you and loves you and delights in the joy that fills you when you use the gifts He has given.
Romans 12:6-8 gives us instructions on how we should identify and use our spiritual gifts. I encourage you to take the time to read that chapter today. What are you good at? What makes you happy? What craft or responsibility brings you the most joy? How can you use that talent to praise the one who placed that passion in your spirit?
As we enter a new year, I challenge you to embark on a journey to discover your spiritual gifts and share them with others. Don’t hide your light from the world! Use it to point others toward the maker of all good things and help others to find the joy you have found using the gifts that only you have been given.
Well wishes for a Happy New Year,
-Danielle Nicole
Well Water Life 